--- colin <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > >In teachings of both Buddhism and Christianity, it > is said you should > >aspire to have compassion for all mankind, even if > they have done atrocious > >things. > > > it's a good aspiration too. unfortunately, one is > considered mad or > bad(by many) to express compssion for those who do > terrible things....
I think it's possible to be compassionate, at least to a degree. People who do terrible things have usually had terrible things done to them, so you can understand it, even if you can't accept it. Either they've been through some kind of emotional trauma that has made them at least partly psychopathic (or sociopathic, as the case may be, I'm not sure if there's a difference) or there's a real physical/ organic problem (in the brain) and they can't help it. In the case of Polanski, he did go through a lot of shit as a child, so you can kind of understand if he ended up twisted. However, even though this explains it, it doesn't excuse it (unless you can argue insanity or brain damage, and I don't think that's the case here.) I'd like to be able to separate the art from the artist, but that's difficult where the crime is so horrendous. We've had similar discussions/arguments (?) about Woody Allen (yeah, I know, it's not the same). My view on WA is, it's sleazy as hell to get into a sexual relationship with a young girl who is (sort of) in your care & custody (let's face it - the Mia Farrow/Woody Allen partnership wasn't the usual mom&pop story to begin with - they didn't even live together.) There was no blood relationship to speak of and I figure Woody married Soon Yee to prove to people that what he did is legal, so everyone would shut up about it (but they're still married, aren't they, after how many years?) I still find it distasteful, but that's my opinion - that and a dollar or so will get you a cup of coffee. OK, not the same thing, but along similar lines. Maybe if Polanski showed some remorse? tried to make it up to this girl (now woman)? did something to show everyone that he had learned something from this experience (while still enjoying croissant and cafe au lait for breakfast?) It's possible he has learned something (remotely possible IMO). It would be nice if he could show some signs that he had changed. Yeah, right. I haven't seen a lot of his films and what I have seen goes back quite a few years. Those I have seen are excellent films, but I still feel icky about the whole thing and would rather not see any more because of the "ick" factor. Moral outrage? Righteous indignation? Holier-than-thou crap? I dunno. It's just how I feel, kind of like how you get itchy whenever people talk about fleas or lice or crabs. (Admit it - you want to scratch yourself somewhere, don't you?) (Trying to practice that Buddhist thing though - they seem to have the right idea anyway.) ===== Catherine Toronto ______________________________________________________________________ Post your free ad now! http://personals.yahoo.ca
